Canada opposes ‘harm reduction’ in UN drug talks, NGO alleges

Canada appears to be taking a hardline approach to drug policy discussions underway in Austria, where UN member states are debating a joint statement on drugs ahead of a 2016 UN General Assembly session on drugs.

Canada has rejected language more sympathetic to drug users at talks leading up to a March meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, one NGO monitoring the talks says, instead opting for language that aligns closer to the “war on drugs” approach known for strict criminalization of controlled substances.